MANILA, PHILIPPINES (23 October 2018) — The Forum for Successful Project Design and Implementation: Implementing Strategy 2030 on the Ground opened today at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters. This is the fourth forum since 2013 to support capacity building of executing and implementing agencies. This year, the forum brings together more than 100 representatives from 37 ADB member countries.

“Successful project design and implementation with high development impact are the shared responsibility of ADB and the executing and implementing agencies,” ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao said at the forum. “ADB will continue to help executing and implementing agencies strengthen their capacity to plan, design, implement, and monitor ADB projects.”

This year’s forum is especially important as it takes place as ADB begins the implementation of Strategy 2030, which sets the future direction for the bank’s efforts to respond to the region’s changing needs. ADB expects to commit $61.8 billion across 428 sovereign and nonsovereign projects over the next 3 years.

Mr. Nakao highlighted six areas in which ADB is collaborating with executing and implementing agencies to deliver successful projects. First, ensuring speed and efficiency in project delivery is a high priority, supported by recent procurement reforms and new mechanisms for project readiness. Second is the importance of incorporating climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk, and environmental considerations. Third, ADB and partner agencies must always consider ways to include gender elements into projects and programs. Fourth is promoting innovation and advanced technologies to address complex problems. Fifth is strengthening financial management to ensure accountability and financial sustainability. Sixth is aiming to increase the use of country systems in procurement, and environmental and social safeguards.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in cofinancing.